Carpenter’s Gallery is all about putting the work of the great Master Carpenter, Jesus, on display. Look around you. There is incredible beauty and design in everything throughout nature. Leaves and insects and birds don’t just happen; they are designed. People are designed too, Jesus, who is God, is the great designer and the maker of everything, including you. “Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, who formed you from the womb: “I am the LORD, who made all things, who alone stretched out the heavens, who spread out the earth by myself,” (Isaiah 44:24).
Who is this One who made everything? He is an all-powerful Being who can do anything. He is an intelligent God who knows everything about the past, present, and future. He knows every detail about you. He never did anything wrong and never will. He has given us a book, the Bible, so that we can learn more about Him and about ourselves. Since He is the Creator, He decides what is right and wrong, and whether someone can be in His presence. God requires sinless perfection.
The first man and woman, Adam and Eve, chose to do wrong, and every one of us has followed in their steps. “…all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). If you do not have the sinless perfection that God requires, you will undergo tremendous suffering forever after you die. But, you might wonder, “Nobody is perfect. Why would God do this to me?”
We shouldn’t be critical of God’s intentions since we are the ones who have done wrong. God actually loves each one of us more than you could possibly imagine. God has made a way for us to be justified and made clean. It cost God dearly to provide this way. God loved us enough to send His own Son to suffer and die, to take our place in the grave, so that we would not have to suffer forever. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16). We should stand in awe and have tremendous gratitude for the Carpenter’s great work of love.
The Creator died for me, and He died for you. There is no price we have to pay to be rescued. There is nothing we have to do, or can do. Salvation is a free gift, a gift of love. God accepted the death of His Son as payment for our sins, and Jesus has risen triumphantly from the grave. Jesus, the Creator, the great Master Carpenter offers to give us His sinless perfection. Will you accept that gift today? Turn away from the sin that condemns you, and trust in Jesus alone to rescue you. Call on God to save you.
If you have done this, or if you have questions and need more explanation, people at Faith Baptist Church in Sterling will be happy to talk to you and help you find the answers you need.
Faith Baptist Church in Sterling, IL., 2005 Freeport Rd. www.faithbaptiststerling.com
(815) 625-7690.
Sunday school 9:30,
Morning service 10:30.
All are welcome.
